title: Enhancing quality of life for survivors of stroke through phenomenology.
abstract: Kaufman argued for the need to implement a phenomenological approach to explore the boundaries of authority and responsibility associated with modern Western medicine. Twenty-two years later, survivors of stroke and their families continue to experience a poor quality of life (QOL) due to unmet health care expectations. Therefore, the need to establish a phenomenological approach to examine the issues impacting the QOL of survivors of stroke is as important as ever. This article will examine 3 issues germane to the QOL of survivors of stroke that can be addressed through phenomenological methodology: (1) comprehensive-holistic treatment; (2) active, problem-based coping strategies; and (3) education for the general public and health care personnel. Existential responses from survivors of stroke and recent findings from narrative-based research will help to highlight these important issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Fraas
mesh_terms: D003243:Consciousness; D006801:Humans; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013534:Survival / Q000523:psychology*